Rumors around a 12,500 Rand youth grant for 2025, which was said to be partly distributed through SASSA and NYDA, have recently taken over social media platforms. The rumors allege the grant will be available to the unemployed youth of South Africa providing them with money for business start-up or skills acquisition. But official ways deny the existence of such a grant.
NYDA and SASSA’s have disavowed the rumor, advising the public not to believe the posts that assure of this payment. They presently assert that no program known as the “R 12,500 Youth Grant” has been set up.
Ways Scammers Misled the Public
The dismally high unemployment rate among the young in South Africa has the potential to turn many into easy prey for such scams. Users of social media or internet usually encounter ads that require them to enrol or provide personal information in exchange for the grant. These ads most probably do not have any backing from an official announcement or website.
There is not a single word about this purported grant on the websites of either SASSA or NYDA. The Careers Portal of the government explicitly states that the said grant is not authentic. The absence of any official confirmation at all is a sign to take caution as it indicates the whole setup is a hoax.
What the Rumors Say About Eligibility
The bogus grant ads talk about several requirements that would supposedly make one “eligible” for the money. Rumors state that the following are the conditions to be met: You must:
- Lionize yourself as being between the ages of 18 and 35
- Have a South African citizenship or permanent residency
- Be jobless or receiving no other government aid
- Come up with a basic business or project plan
- Submit evidence of address, identity, banking details, and unemployment
These requirements are unofficial; they represent nothing more than speculation. The actual eligibility (if at all) could vary enormously from the one people throw around.
Alleged Application Dates: Province-Specific Rumours
Provinces have different cut-off dates for the application process for the grant, which is said to start on October 15, 2025, according to many social media posts. However, the official announcement of such a schedule has not been made by any government department or provincial office as of yet.
These dates are pure speculation, so they are not going to be reliable nor to be used for planning any activities.
The Best Way to Stay Safe from Grant Scams
If you take the following steps you will certainly not be a victim:
- Grant applications should not be paid for – Legitimate government grants are free of charge.
- Keep an eye on the official sources – Only accept the announcements made by SASSA, NYDA, or government websites.
- Be careful while giving your personal information – Identity fraudsters often work by gathering details about a person like their bank, and home address.
- Turn in offers that seem suspicious – Inform SASSA, NYDA, or even the police if you receive messages that are misleading.
Also Read: South Africa Social Grants Increase October 2025: Updated Amounts & Who Qualifies